Govt should refrain from interfering in the work of State media

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor,

I have been following the discussion of the roles and responsibilities of the State-owned media in Guyana especially against the backdrop of the Chronicle headline issue and the reported but denied decision of the Prime Minister to have the headlines in each day’s edition of the newspaper monitored by a political functionary.

Let me at the outset say that if the reports of the Prime Minister’s decision are accurate then this is a sad day for democracy and press freedom in Guyana. I am aware of the reported level of political interference that existed under the previous Administration but the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Government has taken office with a pledge to lead in the shaping of a new Guyana and certainly political interference in even the State-owned media does not represent the type of change, in my view, Guyana needs at this time.

State ownership of the media presents challenges to those who function therein as Editors and Reporters. They must strike a balance between dispelling the perception that citizen’s have towards it as the Government’s mouthpiece and serving the citizenry’s interest by producing/publishing content relevant to national development including the efficient provision of social services.

Governments have an interest in remaining in office and often see the state-owned media as a critical vehicle for attaining this objective. This poses a challenge to Editors and Reporters who, unless they are truly professional and brave, find it hard if not impossible to resist political interference.

However, Governments should refrain from political interference in the State-owned media and let their programmes and track record speak for them instead. This however requires that State-owned media operatives are professional, objective, experienced, honest, fair, balanced and have a commitment to country rather than political party. Hence there should be an independent Public Media Commission that would oversee the appointment of senior State media operatives and interact periodically with these appointees to review performance and discuss broad content policy. Training of the younger and junior operatives in the media must also be a priority.

Better must come to and from the media in general including the State-owned media houses in Guyana. It is time.

Yours truly,

Wesley Kirton

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